The Chicago Tribune, citing anonymous sources, reports today that Jones, who turns 73 in October, was expected to make his announcement later today. The Chicago Sun-Times, meanwhile, quotes what it called a high-ranking Jones ally who declined to be named publicly as saying Jones would make the announcement some time today.

The powerful Democrat from Chicago's South Side has been in the Legislature since 1973 and has led the Senate since 2003. Jones is currently preparing for the Democratic National Convention, where his protege and former state Senate colleague, Barack Obama, will accept the Democratic nomination for president. © Copyright 2012, St. Louis Public Radio